SIMPLER AND MORE SENSITIVE IMMUNE-COMPLEX TRANSFER ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAYFOR ANTI-HTLV-I IGG USING MODIFIED POLYSTYRENE BEADS, MICROPLATES ANDFLUOROREADER

In the previous immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay for anti-HT LV-I IgG, the transfers of polystyrene beads in and out of test tube w ere handled with tweezers, and the bound beta-D-galactosidase activity was measured with a fluorometer. The use of tweezers was considered t he primary cause of false-positivity by carryover. Furthermore, the te sting of many samples using a tweezer as a means of transfer was diffi cult. In the present immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay, polys tyrene beads were attached to plates through cylindrical bars and were used in microplate wells. Therefore, no tweezers were required. The b ound beta-D-galactosidase activity was measured with a fluororeader. T his allowed the elimination of false-positivity due to carryover and m ade it easier to test many samples with higher sensitivity and reliabi lity.